Bulls vs Cheetahs Super Rugby Preview

The Cheetahs are this year's surprise Super Rugby package and they have won
a franchise record of five matches in a row.

They will however come up against a team this weekend that they have never
beaten before in Super Rugby.

The Bulls have played the Cheetahs nine times since the Bloemfontein team joined
Super Rugby in 2006 and the Bulls have won all nine.

The surprising thing about the Bulls and the Cheetahs in Super Rugby is that
the Bulls have a clean sheet against the Cheetahs but later in the year in Currie
Cup rugby the Cheetahs regularly beat the Blue Bulls.

The average score when the Bulls play the Cheetahs is Bulls 38 Cheetahs 22
but strangely when they play at Loftus it is Bulls 31 Cheetahs 21.

Historically the closest the Cheetahs have come to upsetting the Pretorians,
was in 2011 in Bloem, when they lost 23-25. Last year, the Bulls won both derbies
easily (51-19 at the Free State Stadium and 40-24 at Loftus).

While the Cheetahs are on a five match winning streak the Bulls are on a three
match losing streak and will be coming off a bye.

"We feel that we left some points on the road, but now have a good stretch
back home where we play ourselves back into those important play-off positions,"
said Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.

"The rest did wonders to all and I am pleased with the way we prepared
for this one."

Bulls captain Pierre Spies admitted that it will be good playing in front
of their home support again.

"We will certainly need all the support we can get against a Cheetahs
side that is playing with a lot of confidence and momentum," said Spies.

"History counts for nothing in this one, so past performances will have
no bearing on this clash. We will have to front up from the first minute of
play to the last. The Cheetahs play for 80 minutes and we need to make sure
we play our style and on our terms."

Naka Drotske, coach of the Cheetahs, said his team is looking forward
to the trip to Pretoria, but that they know it will be very tough at Loftus.

"Like we were against the Stormers, we'll still be the underdogs
against the Bulls," Drotske said.

"We have a bunch of young players who have surprised everyone in Super
Rugby, especially with regards to fitness. And that is one thing you need against
the Bulls. But at Loftus against the Bulls I don't think the visitors
are ever the favourites.

"We couldn't beat the Stormers since 2007 and we haven't
beaten the Bulls at Loftus in Super Rugby. But well keep on working hard."

Loftus is known for being at altitude so we think the Bulls will start slowly
and finish strongly as they have had some rest while the Cheetahs will only
get a bye in Round 12.